Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good morning, ladies and gentlemen.
I am trying to reconcile three different things we were told. First, the Auditor General told us that the situation is urgent. What is happening is serious. She uses fairly powerful language. She says, and I quote: “Many of the systems are aging, and several are at risk of breaking down. While systems are currently working, a breakdown could have severe consequences (for government and for the Canadian public).” So this is serious.
Second, Treasury Board does not believe that it is really its problem, but rather that of the government, of cabinet and of the heads of various agencies. But since it has been asked to do something, Treasury Board has accepted, in response to the Auditor General's report, to
“departments will be strongly encouraged to have a plan in place by April 2012”.
April 2012! We do not feel the sense of urgency.
Thirdly, we heard different agencies say that they are preparing reports, that they have priorities and that they could answer our questions. However, where's the urgency?
My first question is for the Canada Revenue Agency. In paragraph 1.65, the Auditor General assesses that you have an $830 million shortfall to meet your IT needs.
If we gave to you those $830 million, would you know what to do with them or would you need to do all kinds of studies to set priorities and to evaluate risks? Where are you at? Are you able to efficiently spend all that money now for Canadians?
I will ask the same question to Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, that has a shortfall of precisely $523.4 million. The Auditor General arrived at this figure of $523.4 million. The auditor did not prepare a series of reports and priorities. She is able to tell us that instantly.
Therefore, can you tell us if you would be able to invest efficiently to protect Canadians against the risks assessed by the Auditor General?
And finally, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police must find $620 million, not 621, not 619 but 620. I don't understand how the Auditor General can be so precise.
So she's so precise in her assessment, and you're telling us you need reports, and priority, and it will take until April 2012.
My question is this: if you have the money, are you able to invest in this right away in an intelligent fashion for Canadians?
We could start with the Canada Revenue Agency.